"Since moving here three years ago, I've been on the hunt for an excellent Chinese restaurant. I was starting to think that Garland simply didn’t have any food enthusiasts, and the dining options reflected that. One of the first places I tried was Rice Bowl Express, located just down the street at Wynn Joyce and Broadway. Not only was the food disappointing, it was possibly the worst I’ve ever tasted. For the past three years, I’ve avoided this place like the plague.
During the bad freeze, when cooking became nearly impossible, a few restaurants remained open and had lines stretching down the street. As I passed the cars waiting for a table at Rice Bowl Express, I thought to myself how my neighbors would be better off with a cold can of pork and beans. It was truly that unappetizing.
Then one day, I thought I saw a sign indicating new owners—or maybe I dreamed it? So yesterday, I decided to take a chance and give it another try. The menu did look different, though the ordering speaker still wasn’t working, requiring customers to approach the window to place orders.
I ordered the spicy Szechuan beef and chicken (since pork can often be dry and shrimp soggy at even the best places) along with white rice and hot and sour soup. The soup and rice were average, but the meal? Oh my goodness, it might be the best Chinese food I’ve ever had! The vegetables were freshly cooked, hot, and had a perfect crispness on the outside while remaining tender inside. Even the celery was delicious! While there wasn’t a lot of meat, the sauce was so flavorful that I could have poured it over rice crispies, and it would have still been delicious!!
I can't wait to return, and if you've had a negative experience here in the past, I strongly encourage you to give it another shot. Over the next few months, I'll be visiting several times a week to try all their dishes, and I'll keep you updated. By the way, when they say "spicy," they really mean it!"
